A Reading for the Fourth Sunday of Advent

Relight the first two purple candles, and the pink candle.

Introduction

The word “advent” means coming. Advent is a season of expectation and longing. It’s a time when we prepare to celebrate the arrival of Christ in his incarnation, and a reminder that Christ is coming again to make all things new.

With each candle of Advent this year, we are rehearsing God’s story of redemption. The fourth candle reminds us that sometimes we have to wait for the fulfillment of God’s promises.

Scripture

Psalm 13 says:

How long, O LORD? Will you forget me forever?
How long will you hide your face from me?
How long must I take counsel in my soul and have sorrow in my heart all the day?
How long shall my enemy be exalted over me?
Consider and answer me, O LORD my God;
light up my eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death.    (Psalm 13:1-3)

And 2 Peter 3 reminds us:

But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.      (2 Pet. 3:8-9)

Light the last purple candle.           

We light the fourth candle of Advent as we wait with faith for the Lord to answer all his promises in Christ.

Prayer

Please pray with me:

Sovereign Lord,

We confess to you that it is hard to wait. Yet we know in Christ that all your promises are sure. As your ancient people waited centuries for the arrival of their King, give us patience and faith this Advent season, to wait for the light of Christ to dawn again and fulfill your promise to make all things new.

Amen.